Cut (archaeology)

The term denotes that a cut has removed material from the archaeological record or natural[clarification needed] at the time of its creation, as opposed to a positive context, which adds material to the archaeological record.

Sometimes these differences are not clear and an archaeologist must rely on experience and insight to discover cuts.

Re-cuts are considered quite valuable as a source of information because they can shed insight on function and attitude over time.

Conversely, a roadside ditch that is never re-cut gives a certain impression about the attitude towards the investment in infrastructure the road represents.

Cutting is the reason why not all past activity on a site leaves traces of its existence in the sequence.

Fig. 1. Saxon pit half sectioned.
Fig. 2. Photographer takes a record shot of a horse burial in a Roman ditch re-cut.
Fig. 3. Section of ditch with at least two re-cuts.